AUDITIONS: 2023 LBP NEW WORKS FESTIVAL

THE 2023 LBP NEW WORKS FESTIVAL

AUDITION NOTICE:

TITLES: Show 1: BILLIE SITS FOR CARL (ANNOTATED)

Show 2: FINDING MR. RIGHTSTEIN 

AUTHORS: Chuck Cummings (Billie Sit for Carl (Annotated))

Nancy Davidoff Kelton (Finding Mr. Rightstein)

DIRECTORS: Robyn Hastings (Billie Sit for Carl (Annotated))

Meredith Miranda (Finding Mr. Rightstein)

RUN: Stage Reading of  BILLIE SITS FOR CARL (ANNOTATED) on March 31, 2023 at 7pm.  Stage Reading of FINDING MR. RIGHTSTEIN on Saturday, April 1 at 7pm. There will be a talk-back after each reading.

This is a volunteer community theater production.  Non-Equity.  There is no pay. At this time, all volunteers including actors must be fully vaccinated to participate in shows.

AUDITION DATES:

Open Call:

Dates: Wednesday, March 1, 2023 (One night only for both plays.)

Times: 7pm – 9pm

Location: Long Beach Playhouse  

REHEARSALS:

There will be 3-4 rehearsals before the stage reading arranged between the directors and the actors cast.  Rehearsals will start immediately.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:

Bring headshot and resume. Sides for cold readings will be provided at the auditions. 

Please bring your vaccination card as written proof of full vaccination to the auditions. Masks will be required at the auditions.

NEW WORKS FESTIVAL INFORMATION:  

This annual festival nurtures emerging and established playwrights to develop new scripts. Reading 100+ scripts a year, the New Works Literary Committee chooses two top plays to receive a stage reading with critical feedback from professional theatre critics and audience talk back.

As it is a stage reading, there will only be 3-4 rehearsals, and actors will not need to memorize their scripts.  The stage reading of their show will only happen one night, and there will be a talk back with the audience after the reading.

SHOW 1:  BILLIE SITS FOR CARL (ANNOTATED) 

by Chuck Cummings

Stage Reading March 31, 2023

Directed by Robyn Hastings

SHORT SYNOPSIS:  

Noted New York bestselling novelist, music and dance critic and photographer, Carl Van Vechten schedules a photo shoot with jazz icon, Billie Holiday. On the day Billie is scheduled to sit, Carl, his assistant Saul and wife Fania, prepare for the shoot in Carl’s apartment.

CASTING THE FOLLOWING ROLES:

CARL VAN VECHTEN – (M, 60’s- 70s – Caucasian).  Noted New York bestselling novelist, music and dance critic and photographer.

FANIA MARINOFF – (F, 50s-60s – Caucasian).  Carl’s complicated wife and Broadway actress.

SAUL MAURIBER – (M, 34 – Caucasian).  Department store clerk, Carl’s assistant and naïve lover. 

BILLIE HOLIDAY- (F, 34 – Black) Iconic jazz singer of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.

PLAYWRIGHT – (M, 40s – Black)  Playwright pops in an out of the script     interacting with his characters.

NARRATOR – (M/F, any age or ethnicity) (Narrator reads stage directions during the performance).

SHOW 2:  FINDING MR. RIGHTSTEIN

by Nancy Davidoff Kelton

Stage Reading April 1, 2023

Directed by Meredith Miranda

SHORT SYNOPSIS:  

Joanna, age 50, journeys towards forgiveness, understanding her mother, and self-love. Her mother was in a mental institution which Joanna called “the nervous hospital.” Their evolving relationship, finding a home for mom, and understanding mental illness are major themes. Joanna bonds with her father(at the price of being reminded that her looks disappoint.) Joanna’s struggles with herself, her family, and “Wrongstein” men,  along with her growth are dramatized with humor and pain.

CASTING THE FOLLOWING ROLES:

NOTE: Five actors: three women and two men, can play all roles. Most scenes have two characters. None have more than three.

JOANNA (F, 50s) A divorced writer, mother and professor  searching for “Mr. Rightstein” while striving to maintain relationships/memories with her parents  and her child, as well as rebuilding a life for herself.

MOM (Joanna’s mother) (F, 50s – 80s) Mom serves as a subconscious reminder of many of Joanna’s shortcomings. Also plays Mildred the Psychotherapist / Wendy the Fashion Designer / Lynne (Joanna’s older sister).

DAD (M, 50s – 80s) Dad appears in flashbacks as well as in Joanna subconsciousness. Also plays Doctor / Pool Attendant.

ROBERT (Joanna’s boyfriend) (M, 50s) All of the men Joanna encounters on her journey towards finding “Mr.Rightstein”. Also plays Sam-the-One / Larry / Sheldon and other “Mr.Wrongstein’s”

MOLLY (Joanna’s daughter) (F, 20 – 30s) Joanna’s young daughter. Also plays Diane (Joanna’s neighbor, a call girl) / Nursing Aide / Narrator

SEE GENERAL REHEARSAL SCHEDULE BELOW (Please read note on schedule.):